7/18 SLACK, STEEL AND SONG ~ Barry Sless & Stephen Inglis

Barry Sless and Stephen Inglis- Pedal Steel and Slack Key Guitar
After a mutual friend set them up with a duet gig in Peri’s in Fairfax, CA in January, it was clear
from the start that Barry Sless and Stephen Inglis had found the right ingredients for a special
musical dish. Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar and the Pedal Steel share many deep roots, but are
seldom if ever heard together.
Their maiden voyage included traditional Hawaiian songs, Inglis originals, favorites from the
Grateful Dead and Dylan songbooks played with a Hawaiian style and much more. Both Barry,
Stephen and everyone in attendance agreed that the music felt effortless, captivating, vibrant
and full. It was clear that this would be the first of many shows to come.
Barry has been making frequent trips to the islands over the past few decades as a member of
The David Nelson Band and other acts, which has kindled his love of Hawaiian music. He was
a frequent member of Phil Lesh’s touring bands from the early 2000’s and currently tours as a
member of Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros, Moonalice, and continues in the 30th year of David
Nelson Band.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Stephen plays Grammy-nominated Hawaiian slack key and is
equally at home playing improv-rock on the electric guitar.
He is the 2021 recipient of the Ki Hōʻalu Legacy Award (honoring those who perpetuate the art
of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar) giving him his third nod at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards;
Hawaiʻiʻs highest musical honor. One of those is for the duet album with the legendary Dennis
Kamakahi; Waimaka Helelei, which is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, DC. Barely out of his teens, Stephen formed a group with legendary Grateful Dead
drummer, Bill Kreutzmann.
Listen to Barry and Stephen, Live at Peri’s in Fairfax, CA 1/29/24 here https://archive.org/
details/Inglis-Sless2024-01-29.mtx.selleseth.flac24fix